President John Dramani Mahama has once again emphasized that the Free Senior High School program will not be discontinued.

President John Dramani Mahama stated that his administration would focus on improving the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, rather than canceling it. While delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Thursday, February 27, he acknowledged that the program’s implementation left much to be desired. “I, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, will not cancel the Free SHS programme,” he affirmed. Mahama had previously made this assurance during the 2024 election campaign, pledging to maintain the program.

In other matters, President Mahama addressed the National Service Scandal, stating that he has ordered the culprits to be declared wanted and their assets frozen. This is part of a broader effort to hold officials accountable for their actions. He emphasized that the investigation into the National Service Ghost Names scandal is ongoing, with a focus on bringing those responsible to justice. “Such brazen theft of public funds must not go unpunished,” he declared.

Unfortunately, some of the suspects are believed to have fled the country. Mahama directed that they be declared wanted and that their assets be traced and frozen until the investigations are concluded. He also mentioned the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had recently detained Yaw Danso, an accountant at the National Service Authority (NSA), in connection with the scandal. This follows the earlier arrest of Kwaku Ohene Gyan, the former Deputy Director of Operations at NSA, and the ongoing search for Gifty Oware-Mensah, the former Deputy Executive Director of NSA, who remains at large.

According to sources, the ghost names scandal has led to substantial financial losses for the state, with several senior officials now under investigation. President Mahama emphasized that his government would take all necessary steps to address corruption in public institutions. He also highlighted the issues within the administration of scholarships, acknowledging that the system has been marred by irregularities. “The administration of scholarships has been fraught with challenges,” he admitted, indicating that reforms might be required to improve transparency and efficiency in state-funded programs.

In addition to the ongoing investigations into the National Service Scheme (NSS), President Mahama announced a new policy aimed at fostering discipline among National Service personnel. “We will introduce short military training as part of National Service. This will help improve discipline,” he revealed.

The proposed military training is intended to equip young graduates with important leadership skills, teamwork, and a stronger sense of national consciousness. This initiative aims to enhance their readiness for both civic responsibilities and future careers.